Virginia shooting: The attack left several people wounded, including House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

The attack left several people wounded, including House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise. (AP)

Virginia shooting: Members of Congress, Republican, were attacked by a gunman who opened fire at them during baseball practice near Washington early on Wednesday. The attack left several people wounded, including House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise. The attacker has now been taken into custody, Reuters reported. In conversation with news channel CNN, Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama said that the gunman was armed with a rifle and appeared to be a white male, “a little bit on the chubby side.” Brooks added that he saw the attacker only for a second, and that he was shooting from a chain link fence behind the third base position on the field where the congressional group was holding its morning practice.

“There must have been 50 to 100 shots fired,” he told CNN. “I hear Steve Scalise over near second base scream. He was shot,” said Brooks. He further added that he helped apply a tourniquet with his belt to a congressional staffer who was shot in the leg. “One of our security detail was shooting back, but it was our pistol versus the shooter’s rifle,” Brooks said. Reuters reports that Scalise’s position as whip in the Republican-controlled House makes him one of the most senior figures in Congress. Brooks is a representative from Louisiana.

Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.

US President Donald Trump, a Republican, expressed deep shock over the incident. Trump said he and Vice President Mike Pence were aware of the shooting and are monitoring developments closely. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders, and all others affected,” Trump said in a statement.